Broncos sign LB Dekoda Watson

[VonDoom]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- With the OTA phase of offseason work set to begin in just over a week, the Broncos bolstered their linebacker corps by signing unrestricted free agent Dekoda Watson on Monday.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder is in his seventh season after breaking into the league as a seventh-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010. He played four seasons for the Bucs before spending the 2014 season with Jacksonville and Dallas and the 2015 campaign in New England.

Watson played three regular-season and two postseason games last season for the Patriots over two stints -- one a two-week stint in September and the other beginning in Week 17. He finished with two tackles in the regular season and added a pair of assists in the playoffs.

The 28-year-old linebacker has played in 73 career games, making seven starts, the most recent coming with the Jaguars in 2014. But most of his work has come on special teams, which he has played extensively throughout his career.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-sign-linebacker-Dekoda-Watson/897ed582-a350-493e-a744-d708eaf0c322

[TXBRONC]

Camp fodder?

[OrangeHoof]

"What? You still have your playbook from when you were with the Patriots? Sure, we'll sign you. Just be sure to pass your physical and bring your playbook."

[BroncoWave]

"What? You still have your playbook from when you were with the Patriots? Sure, we'll sign you. Just be sure to pass your physical and bring your playbook."

I feel like having another team's playbook would be of little to no value. You can already tell which plays they run out of which formations from the tape. And teams change their signals and audibles all the time, so I feel like any playbook, especially one from a previous season, would be almost useless.

[OrangeHoof]

I feel like having another team's playbook would be of little to no value. You can already tell which plays they run out of which formations from the tape. And teams change their signals and audibles all the time, so I feel like any playbook, especially one from a previous season, would be almost useless.

I'm aware of this and especially someone as paranoid as Belichick is going to cover his tracks. I was making a joke. I'm surprised you took it seriously.

[VonDoom]

Mike Klis ‏@MikeKlis 5m5 minutes ago

Dekoda Watson is a core special teams player. He's been an OLB. Broncos may look at him to play inside in 3-4. #9sports

[Cugel]

Have him play inside? Shocker! I thought he'd be replacing Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware or Shane Ray on the outside! :laugh:

[Magnificent Seven]

He might be backup linebacker and play on special teams.

[Simple Jaded]

This is Reggie Walker from a year ago, only more talented.

[Joel]

Just dropped in to say I'm officially going to bed: I read the thread title as "Broncos sign Emma Watson" (and we all know whose fault THAT is.... ;))

As for the other Watson: If he couldn't stick on a team as talent-desperate as the Jags, I'm not optimistic, but OTOH: He weighs >227.... :tongue:

[TXBRONC]

He might be backup linebacker and play on special teams.

That is some grade "A" insight you have their Mag. :D

[VonDoom]

If he couldn't stick on a team as talent-desperate as the Jags, I'm not optimistic,

See: Marshall, Brandon

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

This is Reggie Walker from a year ago, only more talented.

We had a guy named Reggie Walker last year?

[Simple Jaded]

We had a guy named Reggie Walker last year?

FA from Chargers, I think he made it to final cuts, probably had a chance to make final 53 if Travathon and/or Marshall were slow to come back from injury. They signed him after the deadline for comp picks, meaning they waited to sign him til after the time period in which compensation picks are calculated.

[Simple Jaded]

Just dropped in to say I'm officially going to bed: I read the thread title as "Broncos sign Emma Watson" (and we all know whose fault THAT is.... ;))

As for the other Watson: If he couldn't stick on a team as talent-desperate as the Jags, I'm not optimistic, but OTOH: He weighs >227.... :tongue:


He runs 4.4

24 reps
40" vert
11' broad.

Explosive.

Btw, the Jags are just fine on talent level, especially at WLB, and just got even better as a LB Corp.

http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/JAX

[Joel]

See: Marshall, Brandon
Yeah, but their respective records suggest Gus Bradley's not nearly as good a defensive (nor other) coach as Del Rio. Del Rio brought along a number of Jags who looked a lot better once they had the support of Mannings record-shattering offense instead of the likes of David Garrard and the dregs of MJD. Conversely, Bradleys biggest accomplishment before replacing him was running an awful Seahawks D that instantly became the leagues best once Carroll replaced HIM.

Guess we'll see; sometimes releasing a guy says more about the coach than the player, but Wade and his staff definitely know defensive talent.


He runs 4.4

24 reps
40" vert
11' broad.

Explosive.

Btw, the Jags are just fine on talent level, especially at WLB, and just got even better as a LB Corp.

http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/JAX
Those are certainly impressive measurables; measurables don't always translate into onfield performance, but they're often a telling prerequisite for it. Speed, size and awareness are kind of the Big Three for LBs, so if he's got the last one maybe he CAN replace Trevathan; few things could please me more.

Anyone know what he's typically played? His previous teams are an even mix of 4-3 and 3-4, and the only ones I even sort of follow are Dallas and NE*.

[VonDoom]

Yeah, but their respective records suggest Gus Bradley's not nearly as good a defensive (nor other) coach as Del Rio. Del Rio brought along a number of Jags who looked a lot better once they had the support of Mannings record-shattering offense instead of the likes of David Garrard and the dregs of MJD. Conversely, Bradleys biggest accomplishment before replacing him was running an awful Seahawks D that instantly became the leagues best once Carroll replaced HIM.

Guess we'll see; sometimes releasing a guy says more about the coach than the player, but Wade and his staff definitely know defensive talent.


Those are certainly impressive measurables; measurables don't always translate into onfield performance, but they're often a telling prerequisite for it. Speed, size and awareness are kind of the Big Three for LBs, so if he's got the last one maybe he CAN replace Trevathan; few things could please me more.

Anyone know what he's typically played? His previous teams are an even mix of 4-3 and 3-4, and the only ones I even sort of follow are Dallas and NE*.

I know, I was kind of messing around anyway. I have no idea if this guy is good, but my point was only that just because he couldn't "make it" on a bad team doesn't mean he doesn't have value, especially if he's given a good situation.

As for his position, Mason's article said:


Defensively, his career has come in 4-3 schemes, in which he played outside linebacker, both on the strong and weak side. In the Broncos' alignment, he could project as an inside linebacker, although he could provide additional depth on the outside in a pinch if needed

In a 3-4, if he's not a pass rusher (and he doesn't seem to be), then he would be one of the ILB.

[Joel]

I know, I was kind of messing around anyway. I have no idea if this guy is good, but my point was only that just because he couldn't "make it" on a bad team doesn't mean he doesn't have value, especially if he's given a good situation.
True; a lot depends on whether the team's bad because it lacks talent or coaching (and how much the first is a function of the second.) And, with that in mind, failing in a Del Rio D is a bigger red flag than failing in a Bradley D: A lot of guys did that last one a long time, then got a better DC and won a SB almost singlehandedly.


As for his position, Mason's article said:

In a 3-4, if he's not a pass rusher (and he doesn't seem to be), then he would be one of the ILB.
Thanks; I missed that the first time, and again re-skimming when the question occurred to me. That's certainly promising, especially in conjunction with good size and speed. Maybe it depends on whether he played Sam or Will in the Jax/TB 4-3s; a straight ahead run stuffer may lack coverage skills, but no 4-3 Will can.

[Simple Jaded]

Bradley got a HC gig because his defenses were "awful "?

[Joel]

Bradley got a HC gig because his defenses were "awful "?
I dunno why he got a HC gig, but it wasn't because his Seattle Ds ranked 24th in 2009 and 27th in 2010. Was he the reason they shot up to the top ten in 2011 and 2012? Well, let's see, he was gone after that, so: Was Seattles D better or worse in 2013? Smart money says Carrolls roids and cheap shots have been the difference since 2011, and Bradley was just along for the ride—until he wasn't.

[Simple Jaded]

What FO say on the subject?

[Joel]

What FO say on the subject?
No idea; a lot of their stuff's subscriber-only, and I'm a non-subscriber. Pretty much every sports publication has tons of stories on the top defensive, offensive and head coaches though, so if Bradley's any of those it shouldn't be hard to find lots of evidence from professional analysts saying so. It's impossible to prove a negative (though his record in Seattle's uninspiring, even if we give him a pass for inability to turn around the Jacksonville Dumpster Fire in a single year.)

So if anyone wants to cite some evidence of what Bradley IS rather than what he is NOT, that'd be just fine. Just remember: The better he coaches, the worse his disinterest in Watson looks for us. Bad coaches may throw away good players, but good ones rarely do.

[Simple Jaded]

First, I'm not overly concerned about what people think of Watson, if he makes to TC he should count himself lucky.

Second, you're the one trying to prove something, Bradley did something to get a HC and you're the one saying he's a hack. As per usual, your arguement amounts to a quick Google search, at least this time it's presented in War and Peace book form. Bravo.

It's gonna be amusing if Jagoffs go 10-6 in an up-and-coming division.

[Joel]

First, I'm not overly concerned about what people think of Watson, if he makes to TC he should count himself lucky.

Second, you're the one trying to prove something, Bradley did something to get a HC and you're the one saying he's a hack. As per usual, your arguement amounts to a quick Google search, at least this time it's presented in War and Peace book form. Bravo.

It's gonna be amusing if Jagoffs go 10-6 in an up-and-coming division.
I'm not trying to prove anything, because 1) I'm speculating, not ASSERTING anything, 2) I'd prefer to be wrong and, most importantly, 3) my speculation is a negative position, so CAN'T be proven. Maybe Gus Bradley shot JFK after he invented a time machine next week: No one can prove he didn't. But if he DID, there'll be significant evidence for that (and ever more next week.)

The Jags have more often than not gone to LAST PLACE in a down-and-out division pretty much their entire 20 year existence. There's a better chance Indy fixes its line and Luck leads them to another Championship, or even that Houston fixes ITS line and Oz leads them to a consecutive division title, than Jacksonville winning double digit games next year. It's usually even money whether they can even do better than the deeply dysfunctional Titans. I'm not holding my breath expecting a first-time HC with a whopping three years experience as DC of a BAD D to turn them around, but anything's possible.

[dogfish]

It's gonna be amusing if Jagoffs go 10-6 in an up-and-coming division.

i think they will. . . i think bortles is legit, and this is the year they break through. . .

[NightTerror218]

i think they will. . . i think bortles is legit, and this is the year they break through. . .

He had break through year last year but its the jags so who paid attention.

[Simple Jaded]

i think they will. . . i think bortles is legit, and this is the year they break through. . .

Plus Joel thinks they're shit, so they got that going for them.

[TXBRONC]

He had break through year last year but its the jags so who paid attention.

They start winning and everyone will sit up and take notice.

[Joel]

They start winning and everyone will sit up and take notice.
You omitted a very small but VERY critical word.... ;)

[Simple Jaded]

You omitted a very small but VERY critical word.... ;)

"When"?

[Joel]

"When"?
Like a lingerie shop with no front window. ;)

[Simple Jaded]

I am literally too stupid to insult.

Hey Joel, the Jags basically get three Top 5 draft picks on defense the season, is that any good?

[Joel]

I am literally too stupid to insult.

Hey Joel, the Jags basically get three Top 5 draft picks on defense the season, is that any good?
Not as good as Clevelands three Top 5 AND three Top 10 picks (plus another Top 5 they just traded) in the past decade, but just as wasted.

Some owners/GMs could take ALL a drafts Top 5/10 picks and STILL go 6-10. The Jags (and Panthers) got off to a roaring start instantly because the League gave them a huge expansion draft to cherry pick All Pros from 30 other teams that ALL got worse as a result, but here's their franchise history:



Year
Lg
Tm
W
L
T
Div. Finish
Playoffs


2015 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2015.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2015.htm)
5
11
0
3rd of 4



2014 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2014.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2014.htm)
3
13
0
3rd of 4



2013 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2013.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2013.htm)
4
12
0
3rd of 4



2012 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2012.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2012/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2012.htm)
2
14
0
4th of 4



2011 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2011.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2011.htm)
5
11
0
3rd of 4



2010 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2010.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2010/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2010.htm)
8
8
0
2nd of 4



2009 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2009.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2009.htm)
7
9
0
4th of 4



2008 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2008.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2008.htm)
5
11
0
4th of 4



2007 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2007.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2007.htm)*
11
5
0
2nd of 4
Lost Div (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200801120nwe.htm)


2006 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2006.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2006.htm)
8
8
0
3rd of 4



2005 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2005.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2005/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2005.htm)*
12
4
0
2nd of 4
Lost WC (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200601070nwe.htm)


2004 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2004.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2004.htm)
9
7
0
2nd of 4



2003 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2003.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2003.htm)
5
11
0
3rd of 4



2002 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2002.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2002.htm)
6
10
0
3rd of 4



2001 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2001.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2001.htm)
6
10
0
5th of 6



2000 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2000.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2000.htm)
7
9
0
4th of 6



1999 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1999.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1999/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1999.htm)*
14
2
0
1st of 6
Lost Conf (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200001230jax.htm)


1998 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1998.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1998.htm)*
11
5
0
1st of 5
Lost Div (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901100nyj.htm)


1997 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1997.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1997/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1997.htm)*
11
5
0
2nd of 5
Lost WC (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199712270den.htm)


1996 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1996.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1996.htm)*
9
7
0
2nd of 5
Lost Conf (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701120nwe.htm)


1995 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1995.htm)
NFL (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1995.htm)
4
12
0
5th of 5




152-184 all-time, 103-153 since the millennium, but THIS is the year they finally turn it all around: Sure.... ;)

[Joel]

Continuing the theme, here's where the previous teams coached by the Jags OC (i.e. Greg Olson) ranked offensively each year he was there:


Defense
Rushing Def
Passing Def


Year
Tm
Yds
Pts
TkA
Att
Yds
TD
Y/A
FR
Att
Yds
TD
Int
nY/A


2007 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/)
CHI (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2007.htm)
28
16
8
20
24
29
24
4
19
27
8
17
22


2008 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/)
CHI (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2008.htm)
21
16
2
16
5
21
3
16
32
30
18
3
10


2009 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/)
CHI (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2009.htm)
17
21
12
25
23
18
18
1
16
13
28
22
15


2013 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/)
JAX (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2013.htm)
27
28
24
32
29
29
19
15
14
25
21
26
26


2014 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/)
JAX (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2014.htm)
26
26
24
30
27
24
12
2
10
22
12
30
21


2015 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/)
JAX (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2015.htm)
24
31
27
28
15
26
5
16
24
29
19
26
23



Likewise, here's the ranking of other teams coached by their DC (i.e. Bob Babich) each year HE coached them:




Offense
Rushing Off
Passing Off


Year
Tm
T/G
Pts±
Yds±
Yds
Pts
GvA
Att
Yds
TD
Y/A
FL
Att
Yds


2007 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/)
CHI (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2007.htm)
17
20
30
27
18
23
19
30
25
32
19
10
15


2008 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/)
CHI (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2008.htm)
8
17
25
26
14
21
15
24
14
27
26
14
21


2009 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/)
CHI (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2009.htm)
23
21
23
23
19
29
29
29
29
26
3
8
17


2013 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/)
JAX (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2013.htm)
23
32
32
31
32
19
28
31
28
31
2
11
22


2014 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/)
JAX (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2014.htm)
25
30
32
31
32
21
28
21
24
6
9
16
31


2015 (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/)
JAX (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2015.htm)
29
23
22
18
14
22
30
27
29
15
18
12
10



Jaded, if you're giving odds on the Jags going from 5-11 to division champs when Indy still has Luck and just rebuilt its line, I'm keenly interested. :D The smart money says the Jags are more likely to end up Eurobowl champs than SB Champs: They need competition against which they're actually, y'know, COMPETITIVE.

[Dapper Dan]

There's no debating how much effort Joel puts into his posts.

[Joel]

There's no debating how much effort Joel puts into his posts.
Meh; these look long because of the tables, but those were just cut and paste jobs. They took more time to format than to find/enter (and still not much.)

[Dapper Dan]

Meh; these look long because of the tables, but those were just cut and paste jobs. They took more time to format than to find/enter (and still not much.)

I said there's no debating this!

[Joel]

I said there's no debating this!
Don't tell ME what I can/t do, commie! :mad:

[TXBRONC]

You omitted a very small but VERY critical word.... ;)

No, I said exactly what I meant.

[Simple Jaded]

I haven't made a single prediction about the Jagoffs, just pointing out the fact that you know jack shit about their talent level and roster.

[NightTerror218]

Jags and raiders i hope fall on their face.

History says you can buy a good team in FA. They were both bug spenders. Jags i think could rebound with the incredible draft this year for defense. But tome will tell. Raiders have only really hit on mack, carr and cooper.

[VonDoom]

Jags and raiders i hope fall on their face.

History says you can buy a good team in FA. They were both bug spenders. Jags i think could rebound with the incredible draft this year for defense. But tome will tell. Raiders have only really hit on mack, carr and cooper.

Look, I hate the Raiders as much as anybody, but you don't think those recent drafts have been impressive? They've "only" hit on a terrorizing edge rusher, a #1 WR and a potential (at least) above average franchise QB.

They've done everything right recently. I hope they continue to fail miserably.